Pneumatic valve mechanism.



G. A. HANLY.

PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3. 1915.

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G.. A. HANLY.

PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

1 v APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3. I915. Patentedsept' 7,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH 60.. WASHINGTON. n. c.

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GEORGE A. HANLY, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

- PNEUMATIC VALVE MECHANISM.

Application filed. March 3, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonen A. HANLY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Elgin, county of Kane, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Pneumatic Valve Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates broadly to means for controlling a liquid discharge through the utilization of an air body interposed between the liquid body and the discharge passage.

The present improvements over the device illustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 874,178, filed November 27, 1914-, to which reference is made, comprise a safety feature and a draining device. The object of the safety feature is to prevent the releasing of the sealing-air about the discharge orifice before there is a suflicient head of water in the tank to result in a complete discharge and the repocketing of a suitable quantity of air. The object of the draining feature is to provide means for emptying the tank more completely and, importantly, to provide means for withdrawing the water from the tank without inhibiting the intake of air beneath thesealing hood for the succeeding operation. Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the' accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, I have illustrated substantially the device of my said copending application with the improvements hereinabove referred to thereon.

In these drawings Figure 1 is a vertical and substantially medial section longitudinally through a flushing tank equipped with my improvements, some of the parts'being shown in full lines for convenience of illustration; Fig. 2 is a similar view, but with certain parts in another operative position; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the tank, as on the broken line 33 of Fig. 1,

showing also, mainly in section, the trap and its connection to a closet bowl to be flushed; Fig. 4: is a perspective view of' theairpocketing hoodlike element Fig. 5 is a medial, vertical sectional view of the draining device similar to the views of the same element in Figs. 1 and 2, but on a larger scale; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the drainer, as on the line 66 of Fig. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

In my said copending application the parts hereinafter described as the drainer 7 O Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 7, 1915 Serial No. 11,708.

and the safety'catch 80 are not shown. In

that application I have described how, when the water in the tank 10 is at a suitable height, as at the water line 16, Fig. 1, the further supply is cut off by the float 15 operating the valve 14 intermediate the supply pipe 12 and its discharge portion 13, and

that when the Heat 15 is in the full line position of Fig. 2, the valve 11 is open providing a further flow of water to the tank. Also that when the rod 30, pivoted at 30, is

moved by the handle 32 sothat the catch 31 I comes out of engagement with the cross piece 28 of the frame 28 and the front end 25 of the hood-like element 25 the hood-like element pivoted at 27 to an upward eXtens on of the frame 28 will assume the dotted l1ne positions of Fig. 1, discharging entrapped air from beneath the hood-like element 25 whereupon water in the tank is dis charged through the opening 19 of the pipelike element 18. Further, that when the ing 40, and that as the end B of the hoodlike device 25 becomes elevated substantially to the dotted line position ofFig. 2 the admitted air in the top thereof coming to the discharge opening 19 will break the siphonic action of the flow through the orifice 19 and that the discharge will thereupon cease; also that thereupon the hood-like element 25 will assume its normal position, as in Fig. 1,

owing to the action of the counter-weight 13,v

with a body of air in the upper portion thereof and about the opening 19, sealing:

this opening against discharge when the water in the tank again rises above the same.

In this application I have added the draining device 70 to the structure of my said copending application, and have made a clearance for this element-by elevating somewhat the upper wall 25* of the hood like element 25 over that shown in my said copending application. The draining device 70 comprises a cap or inverted cup preferably having a continuous side wall 71 and a top wall 72, a tube 78 being secured substantially centrally'of the upper wall 72,

I and open from end to end. A plurality of spacers, suitably vanes, as 7-1, space the wall 71 from the pipe 18 when no'r'nially inposition for use, extensions 74: of the vanes being adapted to provide a clearance between the lower edge of the wall 71 and the bottom of the tank 10 so that water may flow around the lower edge of the wall 71 and into the orifice 19. The tube 73 preferably extends downward somewhat below the lower edge of the side wall 71, preferably the relative distance illustrated. It should not, however, extend below the normal gravity liquid line in the trap 17, or line cf of Fig. 3 in the device illustrated. The drainer may be slipped upon or with drawn from L the pipe-like element 18 at will, as for cleaning. v

Assuming that Water is at the normal liquid line 16 of Fig. 1 and the handle 32 is operated torelease the frame 28 and hood-like device 25, air is discharged from beneath the latter and the liquid flow passes partly down through the pipe 73, but largely around the lower edge, of the wall 71, up-

ward inside the element 70, and then downward through the discharge orifice 19, and this flow continues until the water in the tank is discharged to the level of the bottom of the wall 71. l/Vithout the drainer in place, the hood 25 and the pipe or pipes 17 would constitute a siphon, and, as already mentioned, the discharge would be interrupted by air within the hood coming to the discharge orifice 19. Thereupon a considerable body of water still remaining inthe hood 25 would fall back to the bottom of the tank, other waterwould be fiow ing into the tank through the supply pipe 13, and,jinasmuchas the hood-like device 25 would assume its normal position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 as soon as the siphon is broken at the orifice 19, the intake orifice 10 naturally would descend closer to the water line in the bottom of the tank.

I have found that where the pressure upon the pipe 12 is relatively great-,oiiwhe-re conditions may require a rapid filling of the tank 10, the intake orifice 40 may become submerged before a, suliicient supply of air has been admitted within the hood 25 to' of the opening 7 5, when the siphon including the pipe 73 is put into action, and as the water in the tankfalls the end A of the hood 25 descendsand the intake opening 40 is supplyingair to theinterior of the hood 25. That part of the siphonic action which is due to the absence of air in the hood-like trap 17 is not discontinued, however, as the auxiliary siphon which includes the walls 71, 72 of the drainer 70 is now operating independently of the other siphon, and as the lower edge of the wall 71 is relatively close to the bottom of the tank, the flow passes through the orifice 19 and leg 17 until the water in the tank has practically all been drained out, at which time the admission of air around the lower edge of the wall 71 breaks the siphonic action of the auxiliary device. From the drawings it will readily appear that during-the action last mentioned the opening 40 will bemaintained clear of the surface of the descending water for a considerable period, and the hood 25 is thus completely filled with air for a succeeding operation. \Nith the drainer in position it is only necessary that the discharge through the orifice 19 be greater than the intake through the pipe 13 to insure a perfect discharge of the tank and a refilling of the hood 25 with air. When the siphon is broken with all I the water but say a small layer in the bottom of the tank withdrawn, the waterline in the trap 17 naturally falls to the line 0-f of Fig. 3. and as the lower end of the open pipe 73 is above this line, air within the hood 25 is there effectively imprisoned, as well as in the upper portion of the leg 17. When the surface of the water in the tank 10 gradually rises and the, air beneath the hood 25 is compressed and the water line beneath the hood gradually rises closer to the opening 19, air communication is had through the pipe 73 to the surface of the water in the trap Hand the water line in leg being forced up the other leg 17 and into the bowl 11, serving as a refill therefor. By the provision of a few small holes, as 7 6, near the lower edge of the wall 71 of the drainer 70 I avoid a rather objectionable gurgling noise due to the otherwise sudden breaking'of the sip'honic action.

The other feature of improvement mentioned is in the safety device 80 which comprises the bar 81 pivoted at 81 and having a weighted catch element 82 adapted to engage the cross bar 28 of the frame 28 as well as the end 25 of the hood-like element 25, the same as does the catch 31, either thereof maintaining the hood 25 in air-imprisoning position. On the rod 15 carrying the float 15 I provide a cross pin 83 adapted to engage the edge of a preferably two-piece or bifurcated extension 8% of the rod 81 so formed that when the rod is in its lowermost position, as in Fig. 2, the weighted end 82 will be in its locking position, as in Fig. 2, and when the fioat 15 rises to a predetermined height, as in the dotted line position of Fig. 2, the pin 83 will engage the cam surface of the extension 8 1: and force the locking end 82 out of engagement with the cross piece 28*. and the end ofthe hood 25. I have found that unless there is a SUlllClBIll) head of water in the tank before the flushing operation is be gun a true siphonic action through the pipe 18 will not be put into operation, and the hood 25 will not be drawn down into its locked position. The result is that the flow through the orifice 19 is continuous and at the rate of intake through the pipe 13. It will be noted that when the safety catch 82 is in its holding position of Fig. 2 the operation of the other catch 81 will not release the hood 25 for a discharge and the handle 32 may be operated or trified with at pleasure andno discharge will take place until a sufficient head of water is within the tank, at which time the catch 82 will be freed from its holding position, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The working of the'device as a whole is thus rendered safe from interference which would prevent its successful operation.

The drainer is made of light sheet metal and an ordinary metallic tube secured thereto with a tight joint, and the safety device is also preferably of light metallic construction. The air-pocketing hood 25, open only at the bottom portion of end A, as at 26, and at the air intake, as 40, has its top wall 25 preferably inclined upward from end portions, substantially as shown, to provide clearance for the drainer 70.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of these improve ments it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made from the illustrative embodiments shown without departing from the spirit of the invention.

All such changes and modifications are contemplated by me as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The flushing device is applicable to vari one other uses than the one specifially shown, and in some uses an intermittent and automatic flushing operation will be found advantageous. In such cases the hand controlled latch 31 may be dispensed with and the intermittent flushing be made dependable upon the float controlled latch 80. Such intermittent discharge may also be made dependent upon the head of water in the tank, as, when such water rises above the normal liquid line, as 16, or sufiiciently to cause the water beneath the hood 25-to rise to the orifice 19 the flushing discharge will automatically take place. Y

I claim:

1. Thecombination of a tank adapted to containa liquid, a discharge element projecting upward in said tank and having a discharge orifice at the upper portion there of, said discharge element having a trap normally below said discharge orifice, means for imprisoning a quantity of air about said discharge orifice, and a siphon device in cooperative relation with said discharge ele- Y ment and orifice adapted to cause a liquid discharge through said orifice independently of said imprisoning means after a discharge through said orifice is started, said imprisoning means being adapted to prevent a discharge through said orifice until the imprisoned air about said orifice is released, and means for releasing air imprisoned by said imprisoning means.

2. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a discharge element projecting upward in said tank and having a discharge orifice. at the upperportion thereliquid to said tank.

3. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a discharge pipe having a portion thereof projecting upward in said tank and having a discharge orifice in said upwardly projecting portion, a pivoted hood-like device adapted to imprison a quantity of air about said discharge orifice in said tank, means for releasablyholding said hood-like device in air-imprisoning position, means for, supplying a liquid to said tank, and a draining element comprising an inverted cup-like siphon device about said discharge pipe in said tank and having its lower edge normally below said discharge orifice and so spaced from said pipe and orifice that a liquid in said tank may flow" around the lower edge of said draining element and into said discharge orifice.

4, The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a discharge pipe having a discharge orifice in said tank and a trap outside said tank and normally below said discharge orifice, means for imprisoning a body of air about said discharge orifice in said tank, a cup shaped device about said discharge orifice and constituting a siphon in conjunction with said discharge pipe, said trap being adapted to contain a quantity of the liquid from said tank, means providing an'air passage from above the normal liquid linein said trap to the space occupied by imprisonedv air in said air iinprisoning means, means for discharging air from said air imprisoning means whereby liquid in said tank may fiowthrough said discharge orifice, the construction of said air imprisoning means being such as to provide an intake for air to said air imprisoning means to provide a body of air therein after a discharge of liquid through said discharge ori- Y 5. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, an open end discharge pipe projecting upward in said tank, a pivoted hood-like device adapted to imprison a "quantity of air about the open end of said discharge pipe in said tank, means ferreleasably holding said hood-like device air imprisoning position, and a draining element comprising a hood-like device providing a siphonabout said discharge pipe in said tank, said draining element having an air tube extending through a port on of said discharge pipe and open throughout its length, said air tube being in communication with the imprisoned air beneath said hood-like element when the device is norina-llyi i use, and a trap in said discharge cap about said pipe and orifice having its lower edge below said orifice, said siphon cap being spaced from said pipe and orifice and from a Wall of said tank whereby a liquid in the tank may flow 7 through said siphon cap to said discharge orifice, said siphon cap having means providing an air vent open to imprisoned air beneath said hood-like element when the device "is norc mally in'use, said air vent means comprising an air pipe extending through a'portio'n of said pipe, said pipe having a trap therein below said discharge orifice, said "trap being adapted to contain aquan'tityof liquid, said air pipe opening into said discharge pipe at a point between the normal gravity liquid line in said trap and saiddischarge 7 The combination of a tank adapted to containa liquid, a discharge pipe projecting upward in said tank and having a discharge orifice therein, said pipe having a trap with a longer and a shorter leg below said discharge orifice, the longer leg of said trap being in direct communication with said discharge orifice, said trap being adapted to contain a quantity of liquid from said tank, a pivoted hood-like device insaid tank adaptedto imprison a body oi air about said discharge orifice, means for releasably holding said hood-like element in air pocketing position when the liquid line in said tank is above said discharge orifice, and a draining cap about said pipe and orifice in said tank, said draining cap having walls spaced from said orifice and providing a passage-way for liquid from below said orifice to said orifice, the walls of said cap being formed to constitute a siphon in conjunction with said pipe and orifice when liquid is flowing through said orifice andpipe, and a vent pipe open throughout its length and in communication with imprisoned air beneath said hood-like device, said vent pipe extendingsubstantially below said discharge orifice and to a point in said discharge pipe substantially above the normal gravity liquid line in said trap, and means for supplying a liquid to said tank.

8. The combination of-a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, a discharge pipe in said tank and having a discharge orifice therein, means for supplying a liquid to said tank, means for imprisoning a body of air about said discharge orifice and pipe said tank, and means under the control of the rising water insaid tank for releasing such imprisoned air to provide discharge through said orifice when the water in said tank rises to a predetermined height.

9; The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a discharge element having a discharge orifice in communication with the interior of said tank, a pivoted hood-like device adapted to imprison a body of air about said'discharge orifice and to seal the same against liquid discharge therethrough, operable means'for holding said hood-like device in air-imprisoning position, means for supplying a liquid to said tank, and means for automatically operating said holdingmeans to release said hood-like device when the water in said tank rises to a predetermined height therein.

10. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, means for supplying a liquid to said tank, a discharge pipe having a discharge orifice projecting upward in said tank, a movable hood-like device adapted to imprison a body of air about said discharge orifice and to seal the same against liquid discharge therethrough when the liquid in said tank is above said discharge orifice, hand-controllable means for releasably maintaining said hood-like device in air imprisoning position, and automatically releasable means for maintaining said hoodlike device in an imprisoning position whereby said hand-controllable means may be operated to release said hood-like device so as to discharge imprisoned air from beneath the same only when the automatic means are released, said automatic means being under the control of the water in said tank when it reaches a predetermined height therein.

11. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a liquid, a discharge element in communication with the interior of said tank, a pivoted hood-like device about said discharge orifice adapted to imprison a body of air thereabout and to seal the same against liquid discharge when the liquid line in said tank is above the same, means for releasably holding said hood-like device in air imprisoning position, said means being operable from outside said tank, a float in said tank, and a holding and releasing device for maintaining said hood-like device in air-imprisoning position and operable by said float to release said hood-like device when the water in said tank rises to a pre determined height therein.

12. The combination of a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, means for supplying a liquid to said tank, a float-andvalve device adapted to control the supply of liquid through said means, a discharge pipe projecting into said tank and having a discharge orifice therein, said pipe having a trap adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, said trap being normally below said discharge orifice, means for imprisoning a body of air about said discharge orifice in said tank so as to seal the same against liquid discharge therethrough when the liquid in said tank is above said discharge orifice, means operable from without said tank for discharging imprisoned air from said airimprisoning means whereby a liquid may flow through said discharge orifice, and means under the control of said float for controlling the discharge of such imprisoned air whereby such lmprlsoned air may GEORGE A. HANLY.

Witnesses:

T. D. BUTLER, M. M. KRLESAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

